Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
  • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
  • B60Q1/2607—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic comprising at least two indicating lamps
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
  • F21S41/40—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades
  • F21S41/43—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades characterised by the shape thereof
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
  • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
  • F21S43/26—Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
  • F21S43/30—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by reflectors
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
  • F21S43/30—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by reflectors
  • F21S43/31—Optical layout thereof
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
  • F21S43/40—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the combination of reflectors and refractors
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21V11/00—Screens not covered by groups F21V1/00, F21V3/00, F21V7/00 or F21V9/00
  • F21V11/08—Screens not covered by groups F21V1/00, F21V3/00, F21V7/00 or F21V9/00 using diaphragms containing one or more apertures
  • F21V11/14—Screens not covered by groups F21V1/00, F21V3/00, F21V7/00 or F21V9/00 using diaphragms containing one or more apertures with many small apertures
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
  • F21S43/10—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source
  • F21S43/13—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
  • F21S43/14—Light emitting diodes [LED]

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an optical unit with illumination functions coupled, especially, but not exclusively, for signaling lights of motor vehicles.
• Lighting and signaling devices usually include a function reflector.
• function is meant, for example for the optical blocks of a motor vehicle, the anti-fog function, the stop function, the flashing function, the recoil function, etc.
• Each fire exerting a determined function comprises a light source (a light bulb or a light emitting diode) and a reflector.
• Each light is designed to emit light at a predetermined light range and, for the most part, regulated.
• the regulation makes it possible to couple the lantern function with the stop function or with the anti-fog function provided that a two-filament lamp is used. In both cases, the same reflector provides two different functions.
• the same optical unit generally accommodates several different functions, and therefore several lights, knowing that each light comprises a light source and a reflector (with the exception of the two cases mentioned above).
• each light comprises a light source and a reflector (with the exception of the two cases mentioned above).
• FR 2 829 225 published on 7-3-2003 comprises at least one main light and at least one secondary light, each of them having a light source and a reflector.
• the secondary light source is located behind the main light reflector.
• the reflector of the main light then has openings through which passes the light emitted by the secondary light source.
• the secondary fire is positioned so that it does not enter any place in the rays of the main light.
• a utility certificate FR 2 829 561 which relates to a vehicle optical unit which comprises an upper lamp and a lower lamp (for example a rear position lamp). Between the light source of the upper fire and the window through which the light emerges is an element which deflects the light. Note in Figure 1 of this document that the light beams emitted by the two lights do not interfere with each other, the functions of the upper and lower lights being well separated.
• the present invention aims to enlarge the perceptible area of illumination of an illuminating function by using the light emitted by the light source of this illuminating function by the reflector of at least one other illuminating function.
• part of the luminous flux emitted by a light source is directed towards one or more reflectors which are not associated with the light source emitting said flux.
• one or more prisms that can be positioned on the ice by which the light is emitted or a screen whose inner surface (light source side) is reflective or an opening in the partition separating the two reflectors. For a given function, an illumination zone is thus obtained which is approximately doubled.
• the recoil and flashing functions are mutually used: in the case where the flashing function illuminates the reflector of the recoil function, the noticeable zone of activation is practically doubled by the use of the illuminating range of the flashing functions and decline. Conversely, when the recoil function is activated, the flashing zone is lit in the same way by the recoil. The amount of light coming from a light source and reflected by a reflector not directly associated with this source light is low compared to the amount of total light emitted by the light source. Thus, when the two lamps are activated simultaneously, the illuminating surfaces do not appear to be doubled since the additional light received by a reflector is much smaller than the light emitted directly by the light source present in the reflector.
• the present invention relates to an optical block comprising at least a first light having a first light source associated with a first reflector, a second light comprising a second light source associated with a second reflector and a transparent glass for the output of the light.
• the optical block further comprises means placed between the ice and at least one of the light sources for directing a portion of the light emitted by said light source to the reflector associated with the other light source.
• said means direct a portion of the light emitted by the first light source to the second reflector and a portion of the light emitted by the second light source to the first reflector.
• said means reflect a portion of the light of one of said lights towards the reflector of the other light.
• Said means may for example be constituted by a screen pierced with apertures allowing part of the light emitted by at least one of the light sources to pass through, the surface of the screen placed on the side of said light source being reflective and reflective of light. other part of the light emitted by the light source towards the reflector associated with the other light source.
• the screen can advantageously be placed between the light sources and the ice, part of the light emitted by the first a light source passing through at least a portion of said openings, the other portion of the emitted light being reflected to the second reflector, and a portion of the light emitted by the second light source passing through at least a portion said openings, the other part of the emitted light being reflected towards the first reflector.
• Said openings may be circular holes drilled in the screen and regularly spaced.
• the latter When the lights have a common wall, the latter is not in contact with the screen so as to let light, emitted by one of the light sources and reflected by the screen, to the reflector associated with the other light source.
• the optical block comprises a prism system for directing a portion of the light emitted by the light source from at least one of the lights to the reflector of the other light.
• This prism system can for example be placed on the inner wall of the ice.
• a wall separates the reflectors from the first and second lamps and this wall comprises an opening for the passage of the light emitted by the light source from at least one of the lamps towards the reflector of the other traffic light.
• the lights may be car lights, including traffic lights, such as a reversing light and a flashing light.
• FIG. 2 is an exploded and simplified view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
• the optical unit 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises two adjacent lamps 20 and 40 (located next to one another).
• the fire 20 may be for example a flashing light (flashing function) and the fire 40 a reversing light (recoil function).
• the light 20 comprises a light source 22 held by conventional means 24 in an opening 26 of a reflector 28.
• the light 40 comprises a light source 42 held by conventional means 44 in an opening 46 of a Reflector 48.
• the reflectors 28 and 48 each comprise a reflecting surface which reflects a large part of the light emitted by the light source 22 or 42 associated therewith (the light source 22 or 42 being associated with the reflector respectively 28 or 48).
• the light sources 22 and 42 are represented in the form of lamps, but they could be constituted by light-emitting diodes (usually designated by the abbreviation LED). Reflectors 28 and 48 meet to form a common wall or edge 12.
• a transparent glass 14 closes the optical unit 10 so as to protect the components of the lights 20 and 40 from the external environment, such as rain, dust, gravel, etc.
• the light emitted by the bulb 22 and reflected by the associated reflector 28 is focused to form a light beam 30 emitted in an illumination range 32 through the glass 14.
• the light emitted by the lamp 42 and reflected by the associated reflector 48 is focused to form a light beam emitted in an illumination range 52 through the lens 14.
• means are used to direct a portion of the light emitted by a lamp to the reflector associated with the other lamp. In FIGS.
• these means take the form of a screen 60 having openings 62 for passing a large portion of the light emitted by the lamps 22 and 42 and reflected by the reflectors 28 and 48, respectively.
• common 12 of the two reflectors 28 and 48 is spaced from the screen 14 so that light can pass from the cavity formed by a reflector to the other cavity formed by the other reflector.
• the inner surface of the screen 60 (surface turned towards the interior of the optical unit 10 and thus facing the lamps 22 and 42) is reflective, which makes it possible to direct part of the light emitted by a lamp towards the reflector of the lamp. other lamp.
• a light ray 64 emitted by the lamp 22 is reflected by the screen 60 (light beam 66) towards the reflector 48, which in turn reflects it to give rise to a light ray 68 which from the optical block through one of the apertures 62.
• light from the light 40 may be reflected by the screen 60 to be directed to the reflector 28 of the light 20.
• the apertures 62 may be, as in the example of Figures 1 and 2, circular holes regularly spaced. The percentage of light reflected by the screen is easily determined by choosing the perforated surface of the screen relative to the total area, and therefore by choosing the number and the surface of the openings 62.
• the screen 60 advantageously takes the form of transparent ice 14, but other forms are possible.
• the fire 20 is therefore more visible.
• the light coming from one of the lights and directed towards the other light illuminates it with a limited light power, since this light is not focused.
• the means for directing the light can take a form other than a reflective screen.
• a prism system of at least one prism can be used. This system could be placed between the two reflectors 28 and 48, for example near the edge 12 or glued on the transparent glass 14.
• These means could also be constituted by a passage made in the common partition or in the adjacent partitions of the two reflectors 28 and 48 allowing the passage of light from one fire to another.
• the screen, the prism system and the passage can be used separately or in combination.
• the described embodiment has two lights. It is obvious that more than two lights can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
• part of the light emitted by the central light could be directed towards one or both of the side lights and some of the light emitted by one or both side lights can be directed towards the central light.
• the invention applies to functions other than the recoil and flashing functions, for example stop, lantern and fog functions.
• the embodiment described concerns the automotive industry, but the invention applies generally to traffic lights regardless of the field of application.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
• Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=36698904

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (11)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2006
  • 2006-02-22 FR FR0650615A patent/FR2897672B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2007
  • 2007-02-19 WO PCT/FR2007/050821 patent/WO2007096559A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2007-02-19 CN CN2007800063117A patent/CN101389896B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-02-19 BR BRPI0706911-1A patent/BRPI0706911A2/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2007-02-19 EP EP07731644A patent/EP1987284A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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